Spurs have to overcome a terrible record at St James's Park if they are to put a spoke in Bobby Robson's wheel on Sunday, (writes ALAN OLIVER).

Spurs have to overcome a terrible record at St James's Park if they are to put a spoke in Bobby Robson's wheel on Sunday, (writes ALAN OLIVER).

The North London outfit were actually the first Premiership visitors to St James's Park in August 1993.

And Spurs striker Teddy Sheringham, one of only two players from either side from that day who will play on Sunday - Rob Lee is the other - had the honour of scoring the first Premiership goal at St James's Park.

However, Spurs have been to Tyneside eight times since that 1-0 victory in 1993 and have not won since.

United have drawn three and won the other five, including a 6-1 FA Cup replay victory and a 7-1 blast which put the final nail in Gerry Francis' Spurs coffin.

And on Sunday, United, who have hit 23 goals against Spurs since drawing that blank in 1993, will be looking for their fourth home victory in a row over the men from White Hart Lane.

And there should be a carnival atmosphere, with Sunday being a flag and scarf day for United fans. They are being encouraged to bring their black and white scarves and flags and there will be a huge flag paraded in each of the four corners of the ground.

Steve Wraith of the United Fans Liaison Committee says: "There is a misconception that flags are banned at St James's Park but this is not the case.

"We have had a lot of letters from fans saying that the atmosphere for the England game with Albania at St James's Park was fantastic because of all the flags and we are trying to recreate this on Sunday."